Textual Analysis: Front Covers

Source: Scan of a Magazine                                                    Q magazine was first published by Bauer Media Group in October 1986. Q music magazine is published monthly and is priced at £3.99 and the image on the left is the January 2012 issue. The title Q always appears on the front cover with a tag line 'DICOVER GREAT MUSIC' this is can also be known as the brand identity of the magazine. There is a hybrid of music in the content of the magazine it does not focus solely on one genre making itself a mass market product. Q is a diverse brand name as it also has a radio show which may make it familiar and known by more members of its audience. The front cover of this issue illustrates a strong importance of design and the use of colour.  The background appears to be a clash of clours and symbols creating a good display and base for the graphics of the cover. The variety of colour could be related to the freedom of expression through music and dance. The model on the front cover appears to be a simple person who is dressed normally like myself or a member of the target audience would be but he has been uplifted by music and is enjoying himself. This creates a message to the audience that this issue focuses on normal people who enjoy music and shows the fun and excitement that can be gained from this magazine and the music and artists inside this issue, this image is attractive to a potential reader. There are several cover lines which appear on the cover of Q magazine each of them using indivial designs and colours making them seem distinct. 'THE SECRETS OF COLDPLAY' uses a modern and youthful font. This font makes the cover noticeable it is also suggests that it reaches out to an audience who are likely to be teenagers or young adults. This font is different as it emphasises the mention of a famous band called Coldplay. This distinct font is used to advertise Coldplay featuring in the issue including a byline of the article in order to catch the attention of readers who maybe fans of the band. This issue could be described as essential to its audience because it focuses on Q's progress this year '2011 REVIEWED' displayed in bright yellow font as a strapline. The cover   has a majority of its font in sans-serif but still uses some serif font. For regular readers this issue is nice as it looks over all the events that have happened this year which they have been following and prepares them for new issues in the new year. This cover has a conventional layout however portays a modern up to date theme.  I think it is a successful front cover which jumps out at its audience and would be noticeable on a shelf with other magazine covers.